Nico Hulkenberg admits Renault lucky to earn sixth in Spain

Nico Hulkenberg admits that luck was on his side after logging Renault’s best result of the season in the Spanish GP.

After some good showings in recent races, the German managed only 13th place on the grid – but that proved to be a lucky number as he dodged around the first lap chaos, gaining six places and moving up to seventh.

Later the retirement of Valtteri Bottas gifted him another spot, and he crossed the line in sixth. The result came on the back of ninth and eighth places in the previous two races, when the team struggled for race pace.

“Very happy, a great job from the team,” said Hulkenberg. “My race was good and clean. Of course we have to say we were lucky today, we gained a lot of positions at the start from people crashing out, and I think Valtteri had an engine failure, and other people dropped out.

“Without that, we’re not quite there yet. But some days you have the luck against you, or not so much luck, and today obviously the luckier ones. So I’m happy to take that, and good points for us.”